(Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Alexis Stockford)

Drought leaves Canadian farmers unpaid

Failure of unlicensed companies, complaint deadline, insufficient security seen as holes in farm support

Hundreds of Canadian farmers have received delayed payments for their crops or not been paid at all, as a growing number of grain-buying firms declare bankruptcy amid drought and low commodity prices, according to interviews with dozens of farmers, a government agency, and a review of bankruptcy documents.



“In the event of a bankruptcy in produce, you basically have nothing to repossess. It’s not like a washing machine.”

Fruit and vegetable producers optimistic as Bill C-280 moves to second reading

Bill aims to provide fresh produce sellers in a way to secure payment in case of buyer bankruptcy

A bill that will provide fresh produce sellers in Canada with financial protection in case of buyer bankruptcy has moved to second reading in the Senate. Bill C-280, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act was adopted by the House of Commons on Oct. 25, with its first reading in the […] Read more


File photo of immature peaches on a tree in California’s San Joaquin Valley. (GomezDavid/iStock/Getty Images)

Major U.S. peach producer files for bankruptcy to pursue sale

Setbacks have included salmonella, fires, heavy debts

New York | Reuters — Prima, a private-equity backed farmer that is the largest producer of peaches and other stone fruit in North America, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware on Friday. The company, owned by private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners, has about $679 million in debt, and plans to sell its […] Read more

The Bill aims to cushion the financial blow to growers by securing payment in case of buyer bankruptcy.

Produce sector getting closer on financial safeguards for buyer bankruptcy

Victory may be in sight after a 35-year campaign for financial protection

Fruit and vegetable growers are keeping one eye on Bill C-280’s parliamentary progress and the other on the election countdown. The Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, York-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson’s private member’s bill, received unanimous support in the House of Commons during its second reading mid-May. Why it matters: Since 1985, […] Read more

Lakeside Produce Inc. owes $188 million to creditors

Lakeside Produce Inc. owes $188 million to creditors

Leamington’s Lakeside Produce Inc. filed for bankruptcy Jan. 17. Publicly available records from insolvency trustee Ernst & Young show the greenhouse operator owes nearly $188 million to creditors. Documents show Lakeside’s declared total liabilities as $187,889,241, and total assets declared are $3,580,233. The number of creditors listed by Ernst & Young as of Jan. 30 […] Read more


A 2018 aerial view of Pipeline Foods’ grain elevator at Gull Lake in southwestern Saskatchewan. (Pipeline Foods video screengrab via YouTube)

Bankrupt organic firm’s Prairie growers to be paid

CGC to issue compensation

Over four dozen Prairie grain growers who supplied a Minneapolis firm specializing in organic and non-GMO grains will get paid in full, the Canadian Grain Commission says. The CGC on Tuesday announced the results of its review of producer claims in the wake of last July’s bankruptcy filing by Pipeline Foods, whose footprint in Canada […] Read more

Morris’ Quantum Air Drill had its first public appearance at Canada’s Farm Progress Show and its formal launch at Ag in Motion in 2018. (Grainews photo by Scott Garvey)

Court approves Morris Industries’ sale to Rite Way

Yorkton plant, not included in deal, to close

Seeding equipment manufacturer Morris Industries has been approved for sale to another Saskatchewan manufacturer — minus its Yorkton manufacturing plant, which is not part of the sale and is now expected to close by year’s end. Judge Shawn Smith of Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon on Friday approved the sale of Morris to a […] Read more